Backhead painting.

Backhead painting.

This topic has 3 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 31 May 2026 at 12:50 by Martin Johnson 1.

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29 May 2026 at 11:02 #850198
Thomas Clarke
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@thomasclarke78224
Before I put the boiler back on my locomotive I have the opportunity of painting the backhead with heat proof spray paint that I used on the chimney. I assume backheads on the full size engines were painted black for purley cosmetic reasons. Are there any disadvantages or advantages of painting the backhead onu 5in gauge locomotive? Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Thomas
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29 May 2026 at 15:32 #850227
duncan webster 1
Participant
@duncanwebster1
Backhead on British locos were often covered with cladding, made working conditions a bit better.

Can’t think of any advantage in painting a model backhead apart from aesthetics
30 May 2026 at 22:24 #850345
Nigel Graham 2
Participant
@nigelgraham2
There isn’t an engineering advantage in painting the backhead on a miniature, unless perhaps it is steel, but it would look better painted with heat-resisting black paint.

If clad, that would be painted instead.
31 May 2026 at 12:50 #850352
Martin Johnson 1
Participant
@martinjohnson1
Full size locos were often un clad and unpainted, but soot, oil and muck cooked gently on a hot backhead makes a good substitute for matt black paint.

Martin
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